Open bite - do I need to fix this?! Invisalign etc

[Dentallychallenged]

So I went for an Invisalign consultation because my bottom teeth are getting a bit overcrowded and found out that I actually have an open bite (a gap between my teeth when I close them). No idea how I had got to 35 and never noticed this! I don’t have any problems with speech or eating and it hasn’t affected my other teeth (yet?!).

First dentist said that they could close it halfway with Invisalign only (complex version) and completely closing it would require surgery to my jaw (£20k+ - no way). She did not mention tooth extraction.

I called another dentist for a second opinion and he said they would need to remove all 4 of my wisdom teeth and could then close it fully with Invisalign. He hasn’t seen my teeth but was very confident that this was the only way it would work and said he’d done it many times.

Im reeling a bit because I didn’t even know I had this issue and now facing some serious dental work. Difference between dentists also a bit worrying so going to get a third opinion.

Has anyone had this done or have any advice? And is it a purely cosmetic thing or are there other reasons to sort it out?

I’m 35 and my husband loves me as I am so while I guess it would be nice to have better teeth I really need to weigh the cost and time (2 years basically) against that. Also worried about tue impact of removing 4 healthy teeth.

Holy moly, why would you consider such expense, pain, risk and removal of teeth for something you haven't even noticed?!

My front teeth don't meet. I do occasionally have difficulty biting through something, like a tomato slice in a sandwich. Wouldn't dream of adjusting it, I would save medical procedures for pain relief or must dos.

Why would you trust the opinion of a dentist who hasn’t even looked in your actual mouth?

I had adult orthodontics because I had some wonky teeth plus increasing overcrowding at front. A dentist told me they could fix my teeth in 6 months for £2k. After wearing fixed braces for 2 years, and spending £4k, all he would say was I still needed braces “for a long time.” I chose to have the braces removed as the denist was clearly either dodgy or an idiot. My teeth are way worse than when I started. Be very very careful who you trust with this is my advice to you! If your teeth aren’t causing a problem then please don’t mess with them.

Yes, this is exactly what I’ve been thinking! But both of the dentists I spoke to said that over time it means excessive pressure is put on the teeth that do meet (back ones) and that causes other problems. Of course they would say that though…

He’s a Harley street orthodontist with excellent reviews who said he has done the procedure numerous times. But since the one who has looked in my mouth said something different I am absolutely going for another opinion as I said.

I had the jaw surgery but I had a 15mm overbite. My teeth still aren't perfect. If you haven't noticed any problems until now hopefully it's just cosmetic. I definitely wouldn't trust the dentist who hasn't even seen your teeth but even if you do spend all the money you need to be aware they may still not be perfect afterwards. Have you spoken to your normal dentist about it?

@ChocFrog this is also my concern. I feel like Invisalign is very open ended and I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.

I do have overcrowding at the front at the bottom, to the point where I can’t really floss properly and it’s got noticeably worse in the last few years so I think I do need to fix that. The open bite thing was a surprise however.

Honestly if it’s not bothering you why would you even consider it?

I have the same thing, and like a pp the only thing that bothers me is unexpected slices of tomato in a sandwich (actually made me laugh that it is exactly the same issue 😅).

I have a full overbite which causes me no problems. I asked about options to fix it and my (lovely) dentist said he wouldn't bother doing anything because my front teeth are straight and it doesn't cause me any problems. He had just finished having Invisalign himself too.

You know, maybe I have the tomato thing too!

It really isn’t bothering me, but the overcrowding thing is I guess. And also, if it’s not bothering me now but has the potential to cause problems in future then that’s probably worth thinking about if I’m going to get the overcrowding sorted out.

The first one also mentioned that they sometimes file down the enamel to create spaces between teeth to make room for the repositioning, which also sounded very heavy handed and a bit worrying, but again apparently it’s standard practice.

I end up gobbling the tomato with the first bite - the shame! Pret sandwiches are the worst!

I've got teeth issues now. They said mine were too bad for Invisalign and I needed metal braces. Latest dentist said no to orthodontic treatment at all. As it is my teeth are fine, top straight, just bottom front one starting turning. My dentist of 15 years today advised to just leave them well alone!

I have just started invisalign, prompted by overcrowding at the front bottom teeth (impossible to floss as they overlap) and over-large front two teeth at the top, as well as lots of teeth top and bottom not quite facing the right way. I also have a deep bite, so less than 50% of my bottom teeth are visible when my teeth are together and this means that my bottom teeth are being eroded by hitting the inside of my top teeth at the front. It is that issue that I am keen to fix, the rest is more cosmetic. So far my dentist has shaved my overly triangular top front teeth and left me a small gap so that they can be pushed together. Also, these two and my lower front teeth are proud of the rest, so they will be more aligned when we're done. I should have my first invisalign retainers next week.